The National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities (NAS) and the Patient Advocacy Service have published their Strategic Plan 2025 – 2027.
The Plan sets out five strategic objectives for the development and promotion of both independent advocacy services, with a strong emphasis on the advancement of human rights in Ireland through the provision of high-quality independent advocacy services.
They said the Strategic Plan 2025-2027 was driven by five core values that were fundamental to the independent advocacy offered by both NAS and the Patient Advocacy Service – Independence, Autonomy, Equality/Citizenship, Respect and Empowerment. T
he Strategic Plan was developed in consultation with key stakeholders including NGOs, advocacy groups, government departments, staff, and people who have been supported by NAS and the Patient Advocacy Service.
Setting out an action plan and work plan for both NAS and the Patient Advocacy Service for the next three years, the Strategic Plan 2025 – 2027 supports influencing the establishment of a National Independent Advocacy Alliance and a National Strategy for Independent Advocacy in Ireland and calls for a commitment to be made to support independent advocacy as part of Government Strategy in relation to human rights. The plan sets out a series of targets for both services including, increasing capacity, increasing awareness and strengthening relationships with relevant stakeholders.
The Strategic Plan 2025-2027 is guided by five strategic objectives:
- Further human rights through the provision of high-quality services, extending our reach to all who need it through adequate resourcing.
- Be advocacy leaders and influencers and measure our impact.
- Increase our authority to influence policy and systemic change.
- Raise awareness and promote a better understanding nationally of Independent Advocacy and our work.
- Value our people and excel in governance.
Rosemary Smyth, Chairperson of the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities (NAS) said, “I am delighted with the development and introduction of a new and dynamic strategic plan for the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities (NAS) and the Patient Advocacy Service. The Strategic Plan 2025 – 2027 outlines a clear and ambitious vision for the future of both services, rooted in our shared values of independence, autonomy, equality and citizenship, respect, and empowerment. These values guide everything we do as we work to ensure that the voices of those we support are heard, their rights are upheld, and their choices respected. We are proud of the work achieved to date and recognise the critical need to continue growing and evolving to meet the needs of all who require independent advocacy”
Joanne Condon, National Manager with NAS said, “With independent advocacy now firmly established as a vital support to recognise and uphold the rights of people with disabilities in Ireland, this strategy responds to a growing and urgent demand for NAS reach and impact. The plan marks a pivotal point to focus objectives on seeking to secure essential increased resourcing to meet that growing demand, to shape standards of advocacy practice nationally, to inform and shape systemic and policy change and to deepen understanding of advocacy’s place and value. Most importantly, the plan also commits to enhancing co-production of our service with those we support and to valuing our dedicated staff by establishing the best possible conditions for them to excel in their work and continue to drive real impact for the people we support.”
Georgina Cruise, National Manager with the Patient Advocacy Service said, “This strategic plan highlights the focus and priorities of the Patient Advocacy Service over three years in furthering human rights through access to person centred, independent advocacy in healthcare complaints and patient safety incidents, improving lived experience and quality of service. The plan also provides the platform for future partnership in the development of National Independent Advocacy Standards and a National Strategy for Independent Advocacy.”
